try to be thankful for the dear children and father and other dear friends I often feel anxious for fear I will not train the children rightly I can't hardly endure to punish them it seems harder for me than them 21st Julia C[ollie] and L[ouis] went to my timber claim with me j and I plowed then C commenced learning to drive for sure we did remarkably well L[ouis] and C[ollie] cut rice corn stalks for fuel then went a mile on fathers and cut fodder E[toile] and little Grace kept house cleaned hen house done housework got wood and worked hard at home father walked 2 � miles and back to get a man to help plow his claim we are all very tired. I hope we shall have our health preserved to help ourselves and trust the Lord for the rest 22 J[ulia] and I have plowed all day Louis cut stalks for fuel E[toile] and C[ollie] picked up some seed Grandpa and precious little Grace kept house we came home by starlight this morning I felt so sad to think of the privations and hard work of my poor children I could not keep from tears Oh Lord prosper me that I may give the comforts of life to them and poor father and thou shalt be praised 23 C[ollie] and J[ulia] took turns plowing with me Etoile picked seed Louis corn stalks and seed Father and Grace staid at home I came home helped about supper and did up the dishes as the children were so tired 24 Father went into the field with us helped plow a little cut- corn stalks C drove for me E[toile] and L[ouis] picked corn stalks and seed Then we went to fathers claim and got some stalks after cutting them for the horses I with all the family are very tired and I feel discouraged for I cant get the money owing to me and have to deprive my family of so much and work beyond my strength 25 I was not well staid at home father and I finished my claim and commenced on his cool wind 26 dear Julias birthday 14 years old warm and pleasant Frank and Nelson called 27 very warm don't need fire only to cook with Collie went to the office got a letter for himself from his friend Frank Clark father one from Joseph and I one from Dunnell which I will answer tonight Julia a card from Mr March horses all out but Prince hope nothing will happen bad to them [PAGE BREAK] Mar 28th C[ollie] and J [ulia]) went after horses but found none I put or planted some acorns on fathers timber claim and mine and Dr. rather cold wind Mr Quance called gave us some turnips feel rather blue Mar 29 Horses came home last night Father and I went to office got a letter from Harriet told us some sad news in regard to L[ouis] he has failed and I fear caused H[arriet] too and I have lost$ too we bought feed for horses and flour and meal for family at Wearis brought home stalks to burn 30 Father and I plowed E[toile] and C[ollie] picked up seed 31 mailed a letter to Uncle H C[ollie] and J[ulia] plowed broke our whiffle br(?) E[toile] and L[ouis] picked seed and set a hen Apr 1st Mrs Band (unreadable) called father and I plowed Apr 2nd Father and I finished his piece and brought home seed and fodder J[ulia] and E[toile] cleaned the house and set another hen weather moderate Apr 3rd rather cool I found I had left- or lost a box of matches I went to Mr C and borrowed some before breakfast- got a letter from Laura and answered it and sent it by the mail carrier today rather cool fire is comfortable Apr4th cool in the morn Father and I went on my timber claim Father went one round to get me started I went 4 rounds alone then we went to fathers claim where C[ollie] and L[ouis] had cut stalks for fodder loaded an went home for we expected Elder Newcomb and wife to dinner we waited until two then ate but before our table was cleared they came we got dinner for them He read us a good sermon and went away This eve... I tried to sew on a dress dear sister H[arriet] sent me one year ago Grace and L[ouis] asked for more supper C[ollie] cried to go to the fort for tree seed felt bad for he had no boots and I had not made his coat I cut out of an old one e tried to study and often called upon me to help in her Arithmetic J[ulia] wanted to read from a good book I gave father a lunch then we had prayers all went to bed but J[ulia] who staid up with me a little while I am ashamed of my fretfulness and m(unreadable) at my lot but I pity the dear little ones and father who are deprived of so much because I cant get a sum of money away to me I fear it is lost God forgive me and all of us and help me to bear all things in a Christian manner thankful for the dear children and father